Our Fitness Experts Hand-Selected the Best Equipment for Your Home Gym (2024)

Amazon Basics does a great job with its fitness equipment, and it can be tough to find a better value than these neoprene dumbbells. You can opt for a complete set with multiple weights to instantly complete your home gym or buy them in sets of two in weight sizes from 1 lbs to 20 lbs.

We appreciate that the neoprene coating allows for a secure grip, and we found it to be comfortable even throughout longer workouts. The overall design and weight distribution worked well in different types of exercise modalities, but since these dumbbells come in lighter sizes, they are best for toning and sculpting sessions like barre workouts and Pilates for beginners. Most importantly, the hexagonal shape prevents them from rolling away. Testers appreciated the vibrant colors that look nice in many homes, even when they aren't in use. The rack that comes with the bundles is especially useful for efficient storage.

Fitness experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test dumbbells and hand weights for their durability, grip comfort and stability. We also take into account their practicality and how they may look stored in your home.

CAP Barbell had the top performer in our tests: It's well-designed with a solid build and available in sizes ranging from 10 lbs to 70 lbs. Though it's sold as a single dumbbell and not as a set, it's high quality and the price is budget-friendly. The heads are made from iron and are joined together by a steel chromed handle. The molded grip felt comfortable even after a long lifting session with our experts.

One of the biggest benefits of these dumbbells is the hexagonal head that is ideal for workouts ranging from traditional strength training to bodybuilding. The rubber coating on the heads can help reduce damage to flooring during your workouts, and it won't tear up any exercise mats, which is especially important in any home gym.

Adjustable dumbbells are space-saving, making them perfect for apartments and smaller home gyms. In our tests, the SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells by Bowflex were a top performer in the category and are sold as a set or as a single dumbbell.

In general, adjustable dumbbells aren't as solid as regular dumbbells and can move or shift a bit during workouts, but their compact design makes them appealing to many people. We especially appreciate how easy it is to transition between weights with the dial. The weight distribution is decent, the grip is pretty comfortable, and the dumbbells feel relatively solid during traditional strength training exercises as well as more intense cross-training movements such as snatches.

They have 15 weight increments ranging from 5 lbs to 52.5 lbs to accommodate any workout. You have to line them up in the storage base in order to change the weight, but that is relatively standard for most adjustable dumbbells. You can also download the JRNY app to connect your dumbbells with the motion tracking app.

Few pieces of workout equipment provide the full-body benefits that a kettlebell does. Many kettlebell movements work hundreds of muscles at the same time, allowing for a total-body workout. Kettlebells require a ton of technique and control, but when done properly can help you build up endurance, stamina and strength.

This kettlebell from Yes4All has over 18,000 reviews on Amazon and an overall 4.8 out of 5-star rating. Reviewers like the comfortable yet sturdy handle that is wide enough for a two-handed grip (perfect for kettlebell swings), and our experts agree. A top pick in our kettlebell tests, this option comes at a good value with sturdy construction. One of the reasons our fitness pros specifically like this kettlebell for home gym spaces is because of its vinyl bottom coating that can protect flooring in your home gym. Plus, it comes in a variety of sizes, from 5 lbs to 50 lbs.

RELATED: 15 Best Kettlebell Exercises

These sleek ankle weights can also double as wrist weights. They come in a variety of colors and have a velcro strap that keeps them secure when in use, but they are also relatively easy to take on and off. Our experts have been using them for years and love how versatile they are. They can amplify the intensity of any workout session: You can use them for walks, Pilates sessions, barre workouts and more.

Of all of the ankle weights we tested, these were the most comfortable and the easiest to move in during our workouts. They have an even weight distribution and no metal hooks or anything that would uncomfortably shift during your sweat session. They come in 1 lbs and 2 lbs and are sold as a set.

Resistance bands are one of the most underrated pieces of workout equipment, but when used correctly, they can completely transform your exercise regimen. Affordable and compact, these small but mighty bands are lightweight and portable too.

This popular set on Amazon has over 117,000 reviews and an overall 4.5-star rating. We love that it comes with five bands ranging from extra light to extra heavy, and that it also stores neatly in a small carrying pouch and includes an instruction guide.

Those looking for even more resistance can try a fabric resistance band. Not only are these exercise bands super portable, but they can be used for upper- and lower-body training exercises.

Those especially limited on space will appreciate a suspension training system like this one from TRX. Not only is it compact and portable, but it can provide an efficient total-body workout in minutes. Whether you're looking to build muscle, burn fat or increase range of motion, a suspension training system can be a versatile piece of equipment to add to your home gym.

This all-in-one set can be used so long as you have access to a doorframe, tree or wall studs. And because you are using your own weight resistance, workouts can easily be customized to your fitness level. Our tests proved it was super-quick to set up and offered a full-body workout.

Suspension training — with any brand's equipment — can take some getting used to and requires proper instruction. TRX has a training app that you can use for expert guidance, and you can also check out the TRX YouTube page for some demo videos on using the system.

Make workouts more interesting with gliding discs, which create a smooth sliding surface for all your upper- and lower-body workouts. Sliding discs require you to engage your core and create stabilization throughout the body. This pick comes in only one color, but it has two sides — one that slides on carpet and one that slides on hardwood — so it will work for most home gyms.

Testers confirmed that the sliding discs worked well on both carpet and hardwood, saying that it leveled up their workout but that they still felt secure using them thanks to the quality materials. "I had never used anything like this before, and it made a workout fun and effective," one tester said. Another commented that the discs work well for certain exercises, "such as mountain climbers and some plank work."

This versatile exercise ball can be used for working on posture, balance, core stability and more. Exercise balls are beloved by many as they can help modify workouts and also advance certain workout moves depending on how you utilize them — they're a comprehensive piece of exercise equipment for all fitness levels. The versatility alone makes it worthy of a spot in any home gym, but they're somewhat large, so you'll need to be sure that you have the space for it.

We love that this option has a textured surface, which can help with grip during specific workouts. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors to match your home gym aesthetic.

With over 7,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, reviewers say that this exercise ball from ProBody is good quality and durable. Our experts and testers agree, with one saying, "This exercise ball has been a great addition to my workouts!" Another tester reported that "this exercise ball worked really well to help me maintain my form during leg exercises especially. It felt natural to use, and I appreciated the excellent set of exercises included."

Medicine balls are great for building muscular strength and stability during workouts. They can be used in a variety of workout movements and are excellent for strength training and balance exercises.

This top pick on Amazon — it has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating — comes in sizes ranging from 4 lbs to 12 lbs to accommodate a variety of users. Since each weight comes in a different color, it can be a fun addition to your home gym to get a few of them as a set and store them in a medicine ball tree rack. Reviewers say that these durable balls are compact and have a great grip to them given the textured surface.

This particular medicine ball is designed for core exercises, squats and ball toss. It can give a little bounce off of hard surfaces, but it is not recommended for slamming. If you're looking for a slam ball, our experts like the option from Yes4All.

Jump ropes are compact and a fantastic addition to any home gym. They can completely transform your workouts. Crossrope is continually a standout in our tests for its high-quality materials, ergonomic handles and overall sleek design.

Although this system is on the pricier side, you get two different rope weights that our experts say are very easy to change out thanks to the system's fast-clip connection. If you're worried about damaging flooring at home or outside while you jump rope, the brand has a handy jump rope mat that we love. And for an even more connected experience, you can swap out the handles for their AMP handles which count jumps, power output, streaks and more.

If you're looking for a more affordable option without all the bells and whistles, our experts also recommend WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope for beginners.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles and Wellness Labs evaluate yoga mats by measuring each mat's thickness, weight, volume when rolled up and ease of cleaning. The top pick is this mat by Liforme that received high scores across the board and has alignment markers that help guide you through positions.

And this mat is useful beyond yoga; we found it performed well in all different types of exercises, from resistance band work to HIIT movements. The alignment markers came in handy with foot placement for lunges and sumo squats. The mat stays put on hardwood floors but moved around a bit when we performed HIIT exercises on carpet. It is quite heavy to carry around, so it's better suited to working out at home.

If you need an extra-large mat for your workouts, our experts and testers also liked the Mat+ from Yoga Hustle. It's extra wide and longer than other mats we tested to allow for a full range of motion through a variety of exercises. Plus, it has a great grip and is designed not just for yoga but also for HIIT and CrossFit exercises.

Instead of traditional foam, this yoga block from Manduka is made with cork. Our experts found that of all the yoga blocks we tested, this option was high quality and made us feel the most stable and secure throughout our yoga practice. It's heavy, but not too heavy, and did not wobble around even during intense poses.

The blocks have a somewhat textured surface which allows for a secure grip, and the overall design was ideal for helping us reach those tough positions and hold deeper stretches during our practice. Reviewers on Amazon rave about it as well, with a 4.9 out of 5 stars overall.

But if you're looking for a block with a contoured edge, testers also gave the Manduka Unblock top scores across the board, with one saying, "It seems to be well-constructed and should last for quite some time." Take note that it's available only in the natural hue.

A quality weight bench can assist you throughout a wide variety of strength training exercises, from chest presses and flys to elevated split squats and more. But you'll likely want an option that folds for storage when not in use.

Our experts like this pick from Flybird that has a sturdy frame, high-quality leather, eight backrest positions and three seat adjustments. According to the brand, the bench has a weight capacity of 800 lbs. The best part is that it folds in half for easy storage.

One tester appreciated that it came mostly fully assembled with the exception of adding the lower leg piece. "It was a huge time saver that it was already set up." We found the bench stable and noted that it stayed in good shape even after repeated heavy use. But it is available in black only.

If you have the space, a treadmill can be a fantastic addition to your home gym setup. Of course you can train by walking, jogging or running on the machine, but it also can serve as a great way to get in some extra steps at the end of the day or during bouts of inclement weather.

NordicTrack treadmills have performed well in our previous treadmill tests, and the Commercial 2450 has all the special features you'd want in a premium treadmill. The machine is foldable to help save space when not in use, but it still manages to hit running speeds of up to 12 mph and has incline and decline capabilities to simulate outdoor terrain.

You'll also get access to thousands of iFIT workouts with this machine (30-day trial included, with a $39/month charge after that for access to iFIT), including scenic runs through breathtaking destinations around the world. But the real standout is the 22-inch rotating touchscreen that you can spin away from the treadmill platform so you can complement your runs with strength training exercises for runners and other classes off the machine. You're paying a high price, but you'll essentially get an entire home gym in one piece of equipment.

Exercise bikes provide an effective low-impact workout that helps improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Schwinn is a leader in the industry and performed well in our tests too. The IC4 offers a smooth ride with 100 resistance levels at a decent price. It's relatively quiet and will look good in any home gym.

What our experts especially appreciate is that you can ride with either regular sneakers in toe cages or SPD-compatible cycling shoes (like our top-tested pick from Tiem) since the bike offers dual-sided pedals, so if you don't want to invest in a pair of cycling shoes you don't want to. The metrics display is small, but the bike does connect with certain apps including the Peloton app — simply put your phone or tablet in the bike's device holder.

You'll find other useful special features like a USB charging station, two 3-pound dumbbells and dual water bottle holders. Between its quality build, unique features, connectivity capabilities and fair price, the IC4 is a worthwhile bike that includes a little bit of everything.

Our Engineering Lab fell in love with the original Peloton bike when it first debuted in 2014, thanks to its large touchscreen mounted on a high-performance bike that enables you to livestream studio classes. The bike monitors calories burned, power output, distance traveled and cadence (pedaling rate). You can ride with the motivation of top fitness instructors, or take a virtual scenic ride on the bike for a leisurely cruise. We also love the corresponding Peloton Digital app that offers a ton of off-bike fitness classes (think strength training, yoga, HIIT) to help you become a well-rounded athlete.

The newer Bike+, though pricey, features a larger screen that rotates, optimized audio and auto-follow capabilities that allow the resistance to automatically adjust to what the instructor recommends. Our experts found that the high variable magnetic resistance resulted in a quiet belt drive and a very smooth ride. Live rides, monthly challenges and milestone badges make this choice motivating and interactive for your home workouts.

This comprehensive workout mirror from Lululemon fits seamlessly into most homes with its slim profile and sleek metal accents. When it's not in use, it looks like a high-end mirror. Turn it on and participate in over 10,000 fitness classes from AARMY, Y7 Studio, celebrity favorite DOGPOUND, Pure Barre, AKT and Rumble, among others.

Over the course of the past three years, the Good Housekeeping Institute's fitness experts have logged hundreds of hours testing the Studio Mirror. We found the workouts to be energizing, fun and effective, and with the large library of content, there is seemingly something for everyone. We like that you also have the option to hire a certified trainer for a private session through the device for an extra fee, and the technology allows you to receive expert feedback in real-time, including form corrections and motivation. Rachel Rothman, the chief technologist and executive technical director for the Good Housekeeping Institute, says you can flip the blackout cover on the camera for peace of mind if you're worried about privacy.

Though the Mirror doesn't have touchscreen controls, you'll be able to control it via an app on your phone or tablet. You can upgrade to larger packages if you need dumbbells and other equipment, but if you're looking for a workout mirror with attachments that provide built-in weights and cables for resistance training, then we recommend the Tonal.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Lululemon Studio Mirror Is Worth the Hype